St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-10-29
A WHITE LIE.
The Simple Story of the Life of Fisher
man and His Daughter.
EUGENE FIELD.
Copyrighted, ISL

EUGENE FIELD.
copyrighted. lss7.l
1t was upon the list day of June, 1885, that
Caleb Dickinson hobbled up through the
hot sand to the Atwood cottage Caleb
looked very old, very weatherbeaten very
lonely.
Aunt Hepsy met him at the door. Her
face seemed to have lost many of its hard
lines in these later years.
well p she said.
"Is Esther here?' Caleb asked, with a
furtive glance around.
"She's gone walkin with Albert and the
child on the beach," said Aunt Hepsy.
They've been here goin' on fortnight, and
seems like Esther never'u get tired O
walkin' up an down the beach-it kind O
minds her of old times, she says, an Albert
loves to humor her, you know
I'm glad she amt here" said Caleb He
limped into the sitting-room, pulled off his
hat and eased himself down in chair
Then he said: ''Fve got somethin' to tell
you"
II hope you don't bring no bad news,
Caleb" said Aunt Hepsy. "Twas jist about
five year ago this time you came to tell me
that Reuben had gone"
~ recoilect it well" answered Caleb, san
mebbe the news I'm bringin' now will wipe
out all the sorror fetched with me then.
Miss Hepsival, I've come to tell you that I've
heerd from Reubenr'
Aunt Hepsy rose stiff and straight from
her chair, and, coming over beside Caleb, she
ciutehed him by the arm.
you've heard from Reuben p she gasped
"Why. Caleb. isn't Reuben dead?'
mo, he amt" said Caleb; "leastwise this
letter says not"
He produced the letter. 1t was written in
fine round hand. In spite of her trembling
and tears, Aunt Hepsy read it readily
enough. This was what was in the letter:
Dear Sir.-There has been i'll at the Seaman's
Hospital in this place for the last year an old
man named Reuben Atwood. Hetells me that
he has daughter and sister living upon Cos
port seach. 1 judge from the little he has
chosen TO say of his past life that some sorrow
of peculiar nature (perhaps crime) keeps
him from returning to his family. He talks
constantly of his child but will not consent to
informing her Of his whereabouts. Yet, it
being evident that he is about to die, feel it
to be my duty to inform you (of whom have
heard him speak, what his condition is and to
ask you to so inform his family, providing
there is 10 reason why they should not now be
with him with their ministrations. Respect
fully yours, ABNER DEANsTER, Clergyman.
This letter was dated at Bristol, Me- There
was but one thing to do-start for Bristol,
Me-, at once. And go they did-Aunt
Hepsy, Albert and his wife and child and
Caleb Dickinson.
"Tll have him back here in less week"
said Caleb. "He shall try my new net with
nae"
The hospital faced the sea, within stones
throw of the waves that swept boldly up
and then SUNK back again.
HE is very low" said Mr.. Deanster. II
feared he would pass away beforeyou came"
Old Reuben's cot was by window. He
lay with his face turned toward the sea. His
hair was very white and his face was thin
and pinched and wrinkIed.
Father, ~ cried Esther. shesprang
to his side, dropped upon her knees. Rugged
his dear old hand and covered it with kisses |
Reuben could scarcely comprehend it; his
eyes looked as if he were in dream.
He spoke slowly. SIS it Esther or is
Esther's mother come to lead me home ?" he
asked.
ut is Esther-your Esther!' she cried.
Then she raised herself up and kissed his
dear lips.
How'd you come here, child? Didn't |
you think was dead7" he asked in strange
tone II thought it was the sperrit of your
mother you are SO like her, my gall
His voice and his manner and his words
we're SO unlike the father she remembered
hat Esther started up in alarm.
He is dying" she sobbed; 'he does not
Know mel"
"Not know you, child?' said Reuben, ten
1erly. ''Of course do; only it's all so sud-
len like that somehow can't realize it; it
eems SO Like was dreanin'.''
But Aunt Hepsy's voice-ah! it was full
# tenderness now-assured him that it was
indeed his little girl, and that she had come
o make him well and to take him back to
he old home on the beach; and Aunt
Iepsy's big homely hand stroked old Reu-
ems brow very gently, and the wrinkles
eemed to vanish beneath her loving
ouch. AS for Caleb, he sat at the foot
f the bed and cried softly to himself.
EYES, you shall go back with u.s." said
Ibert, taking old Reuben's hand, ''and
here's nothing you sha'n't have to make
on happy. am Albert, your son, and see,
ere is our little one, Esthers and mine; his
anne is Reuben, too"
The old man stroked the childs pretty
urls and babe him not be afraid: but all the
me Reuben's eyes were fixed on Esther,
nd they were hungry like.
II amt wurth all this FUSS" hesaid. Tim
uthin' but poor old hulk. It's all my own
oin's, but couldn't help i'll thought l
as dom my duty, and ! done it, though it
roke my heart
Then he babe all but Esther 60 away, and
hen the two were alone. Reuben said,
Somethin' tells me. my little gal, that this j,